Gleason takes tour of Jackson Park expansion

Kern County's First District Supervisor received an update on the status of the LeRoy Jackson Park expansion at the corner of North China Lake Boulevard and French Avenue Thursday morning.

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Kern County's First District Supervisor received an update on the status of the LeRoy Jackson Park expansion at the corner of North China Lake Boulevard and French Avenue Thursday morning.Flanked by directors from both Kern County's Parks and Recreation and General Services departments, Supervisor Mick Gleason took a tour of the developing facility at the heart of Ridgecrest.During the entire process, Jeff Frapwell, of the General Services department, explained some parts were still under construction, including a pathway that needed to be connected to China Lake Boulevard's sidewalk.The expansion is across from the main LeRoy Jackson Park. It is the product of Kern County community development block grant money and was planned under former Supervisor Jon McQuiston's tenure. The initial bid for phase one was $1.27 million.Additionally, a large portion of the Jackson Park expansion already has underground, including electrical, sewer dispense and water lines in place. One item that still requires attention involves sewer delivery."That's why a lot of expense for the first phase is all underground," Frapwell explained.The expansion is split into two phases, with the first phase beginning in Aug. 2012 and continuing through the first half of 2013.The majority of the first phase includes the development of facilities and landscaping, as well as one covered area, benches, small barbecue stands, restroom facilities, a smattering of grass and granite walking paths.The second phase initially included building an amphitheater in the park, but the idea was discarded in favor of a more cost-efficient children's play area. "The whole concept of this portion of the park is xeriscape," Frapwell said. "There is very little turf."Frapwell stressed that not all landscaping would likely be done in the first phase. However, several trees have already been planted and can be seen along China Lake Boulevard.Second-phase landscaping includes drought-resistant shade trees sprinkled throughout the expansion in order water conservation while on the Indian Wells Valley Water District system."This expansion will be on district water and that's why we're being extremely sensitive about water usage," Frapwell said. "It's a pilot project for us and we're working with the Water District to make sure we're sensitive to that."Frapwell said the xeriscaped format of the park expansion would utilize as much as 95 percent less water than traditional turf parks."What we're trying to do is create an inviting space for people to have a place to recreate without the extreme cost," Frapwell said.The construction plan includes building seven sheltered picnic structures with tables and barbecue grills throughout the expansion."If somebody wanted to come up and grill some hamburgers and have some shade to sit under, that would be the spot," Frapwell said.Phase two children's areaFrapwell said there was a conceivable children's play being considered aimed at different age groups. He displayed a tree house-like facility with set with slides near one of the sitting areas.Gleason asked whether chopped tiring would be used for flooring.Parks Director Bob Lerude said the only park in Kern County that used it was at Lake Isabella."It seems to work fine," Lerude said. "It wears better than mat surfacing."Lerude explained that there had be a minimum amount of material however to comply with the American with Disabilities Act. However, the parks department decided to shift away from rubberized mat surfacing to tiles."What was happening was with vandalism, people were cutting the mat, and you have to mix it like concrete when repairing it," Lerude said. "We went to tile because when it's damaged you can replace the tile."End of one phase,beginning of the nextWhile the deadline of the first phase has consistently been pushed back a number of times, Gleason said the current date is set around June 30."To complete phase one includes putting some turf in around the picnic area, some barbecues and benches, and fixing the problem of connecting the sewer," Gleason said.Gleason and Frapwell both said it was conceivable planning for phase two would begin in July."The concept is there and if we go with that concept, the design is a really quick process," Frapwell said. "It's just a matter of timing in the next phase to make sure plant in the right season."